ABSTRACT
This chapter identifies and evaluates the component parts of living well with dementia, which include meaningful activity, the environment, nutrition, and daylight. Listening to people with dementia is a key part of understanding their meaning of living well and also their meaning of what it is to be independent. The estates manager was enthused about improving the environment to support enabling independence for people with dementia and has also had the architrave around all the toilet doors painted a bright white. Dementia can impact in different ways on a person's nutritional experience. Generally people with dementia may experience weight loss or weight gain, undernutrition, and dehydration. To understand a person's nutritional needs it is essential that there is a robust assessment process which acknowledges the importance of a person's identity, cultural needs, and likes and dislikes, and identifies any eating difficulties.
